If passed, Rhode Island Senate Bill (SB) 2323 and 2229 would have allowed anyone who is under a performance, payment or fiduciary bond (claimants, principals and obligees) to file claim against the surety bond company for a bad faith refusal to pay a claim, settle on a claim, or for failing to perform their obligations in a timely manner. The Senate Bill would have authorized claimants to go after both punitive and compensatory damages, and even attorney fees, and other costs associated with the lawsuit.

Senate Bill 2323 happens to be identical to a SB from last year that wasn